Samuel Propst, the oldest resident to the vicinity of Monmouth, who celebrated his ninety-sixth birthday last November, died at his home two and a half miles northwest of Monmouth last Friday, February 7, 1930.

Mr. Propst was born in Pendleton County, Virginia in 1833. His parents, both of German stock, were born in this country. During his early life he worked with his father in clearing and breaking the land. After he became of he worked for two years as an overseer of the slaves on a Virginia plantation.

At the age of twenty-three, he packed his belongings into a bag, walked to the nearest railroad station, a distance of eighty-two miles, and after a tegious journey filled with many adventures, he arrived at Dubuque, Iowa. After a forty mile walk he at last came to the homes of his friends in eastern Jones County.

In June of 1856 he was married to Mary Pitsenbarger and with his bride moved to Scott County where they lived for five years. In 1858 they moved to Wyoming township where he lived continuously for seventy nine years. After the death of his wife in January 1921, Mr. Propst remained on the homestead until Death called him to his reward.

Eleven children were born to this union, two of which died in their infancy. The nine living children who mourn the death of a devoted father are Clara Heath of Farnam, Nebraska; Frank of Monmouth, Dan of Montana, Lilia Malone of Monticello, Jake of Wyoming, Lydia Crawfore of Kansas, Sam of Monmouth, Emma Garnett of Onslow, and Ray who lives at home.

Sixteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren and many other more distant relatives will keenly miss his presence in the family circle.

Mr. Propst was of the sturdy pioneer families and helped in the promotion of eery advancement and welfare of his community. He was a kind and indulgent father, a helpful neighbor and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.

The funeral was held Monday afternoon at one o’clock from the home, funeral director, C.N. Hayden in charge, and interment was made in the family lot in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery.

The pallbearers were six grandsons of the deceased, Floyd and Ralph Propst, Chester Fadley, Clayton Garnett, James White and Everett Maloney. The services at the home and cemetery were conducted by Hazel Ostrander and Edith Ahlhorn.